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Monday, April 29, 2019

NBtM The Avant Champion: Rising by CB Samet

The Avant Champion: Rising

by C.B. Samet

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GENRE: Fantasy

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BLURB:

An EVVY award-winning epic fantasy adventure. When Marrington Castle is overtaken by a dark and ancient evil, Abigail Cross finds herself in the precarious situation of protecting Queen Rebekah. Charged with a quest to summon the Avant Champion, can she save the kingdom or doom everyone to everlasting devastation?

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Excerpt Two:

I could hear the confused murmurs of the drivers. Then, the dismissive humphs presumably accompanied by dismissive shrugs.

The carriage began to move forward again, encroaching on some dreadful fate. Even as the lanterns around us illuminated once again, I felt engulfed in numbing darkness.

Paul?

The Queen gazed impassively forward, then with a faint disinterested yawn, spoke. “I think we’ll take a walk for the remaining distance. I’ve not stretched my legs all night.”

One of the guards snapped his fingers, and the carriage halted.

Walk? Out there? With those things?

Despite my quivering knees, I followed the Queen out of the carriage. I had been conditioned over the last several months to follow orders, so it was less of a struggle than it might have been.

When the guards began to follow us, she stopped them with a faint flick of her wrist. “We’re on the castle grounds. We’ll be safe here.”

I wanted to contradict her but my throat seemed to have convulsed shut, the way vocal cords spasm when liquid threatens to erroneously enter the windpipe. It was all I could do just to breathe.

They bowed and climbed back into the carriage.

Floating in a world of confusion, I walked beside her stiff figure. How could we possibly be safe? I started to turn, wanting to look back and see Paul safely sitting in his carriage, though I knew he wasn’t there.

“Don’t,” she snapped in a hushed tone. “Your brother is dead now, and you will be as well if you let on that you saw anything.”

I stiffened, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other while the starry night spun dizzyingly around me. “I don’t understand, mum,” I managed to whisper.

She pursed her lips disapprovingly. “It’s obvious we’re under attack. They are already on the grounds.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Christina is a writer, mother, and pet lover.

“I write seeking to create riveting action and intrigue with female heroines. I love the quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ My novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.”

1. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?

The characters do tend to hijack the story. Abigail struggles to realize he own strength and capabilities throughout book 1, which I think is something many women struggle with--imposter syndrome. Are we capable of achieving the things other people think we’re capable of? I think her fluctuations in confidence enable others to relate to her. This wasn’t a character development I’d planned on, but Abigail led the way.

The supporting cast has a host of their own quirks that emerge—a stoic Queen, a jealous colleague, a devoted love interest, a wise monk, and so much more. They all add their flavor to the story and lead it to a climactic end. (which is only the beginning since the series continues). The supporting characters even demanded their own stories, which led to Malakai’s story (a novelette) and Brothers’ Bond in which Malakai and his brother Orrick take their own adventure.

2. Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Lovers of fantasy will enjoy a strong female lead, a world of magic and mysticism, and a foe unlike any other. The series makes for a fun read and enchanting escape from the struggles of every day life. The books are filled with action, adventure, magic, battles, giants, brownies, man-eating octopi, wizards, ghosts, and romance. If you’re still not sure … book 1 ebook is 99c during my book tour (April through June and the series is available on Kindle Unlimited)

3. Have you written any other books that are not published?

The Avant Champion series will be 5 books total (and two novelettes). Book 4 is currently in editing and will release in June. Book 5 is in the planning stages.

I also write paranormal romantic suspense (Romancing the Spirit Novella Series), romantic suspense adventures (The Rider Files serials), and thrillers (the Dr. Whyte adventure serials). Those all have more works in progress.

4. Pen or type writer or computer?

I usually start my novels with pen and paper. I have dozens of writing notebooks with handwritten scenes of my books. I suspect this is a right-brain function that makes me handwrite first, although part of it is accessibility. I can take a small notebook anywhere and start writing or take notes. I’ve dabbled a little with dictation during my commute, but I have to have a clear scene in mind for this to work.

In addition to a world map and the Book of Stones. You can sign up for my newsletter HERE and get a free Malakai ebook. Through the website, you can also request bulk orders of signed copies if you are looking to do a book club.

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